Aptos psychologist: It’s time to change laws regulating social security disability. Why and how.

Cameron Jackson DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

When thinking about social security, Instead of thinking “entitlement” people need to think “temporary assistance”. Too often I hear the comment, “Oh, I cannot do more work as that will reduce my social security benefits…” We need entitlement programs such as social security disability to encourage independence not dependency.

Because of social security regulations the public and persons receiving the money do not know why they get what they do. Letâ€s change that.

By law letâ€s require open communication between the government agencies and non-profits that assist families who receive social security disability. Currently social security rarely releases reports. By law letâ€s require that social security release their reports.

Itâ€s time to change social security regulations. Make it lawful that anyone who receives social security has the right to receive a copy of gets their reports – just like medical reports belong to the individual.

Likewise, letâ€s make it legal that other agencies that have a legitimate reason to know can also access social security reports. For example, if social security if giving money based on “mental retardation” (recently changed to intellectual disability) and school assessment suggests “specific learning disability” itâ€s time that all the players have access to all the reports.

Hereâ€s a real life example why we need to make changes in how and why children under age 21 receive social security disability. The names have been changed to protect privacy.
Carmen receives around $400 in social security. She is 18 years old. It is not clear why she receives the money. Her father thinks she gets money because of mental retardation.

Carmenâ€s father is disabled. He used to work in the agricultural fields near Watsonville, CA. Her mother works as a baker. Carmen is an only child. Carmen has various medical issues: obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma.

Carmen largely refuses to follow the recommended regime for control of her diabetes. She likes to snack on candy and eat throughout the evening hours. She does not like to walk. She is quite obese and her weight is climbing.

Carmen does have some skills: she uses a computer to access the Internet. She can sell Tupperware. She wants to go to junior college.

So what will encourage Carmen to become more independent and less dependent upon the government? For one, letâ€s change the law so that all entities providing education, medical and money can talk to each other and receive their reports. That way agencies are not working at cross purposes.

Perhaps itâ€s time that the social security disability money s Carmen receives is conditional on making healthy life style changes? If she wants the money then make the changes that will make her ultimately more independent.